New project launched to promote peace and reconciliation

Bryson Intercultural is delighted to announce that they have been awarded Peace IV funding under Promoting Peace and Reconciliation. The new three year project known as DARE to Lead Change is in partnership with TIDES Training and Consultancy (TIDES) and is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders.

Photo includes staff members from Bryson Intercultural and TIDES during an induction session L to R Lorraine Boyd Bryson Intercultural Regional Manager for DARE, Iulia Picu-Iwaisi TIDES Training, Ross Fletcher, Bryson Intercultural Regional Administrator for DARE, Laura Couser Operations and Business Manager TIDES Training, Carole Kane TIDES Training. Not pictured Jo Marley, Director of Bryson Intercultural and Liza Wilkinson, Director of TIDES Training.

DARE (Dialogues About Race and Ethnicity) seeks to inform and change what citizens know and think about the mix in Northern Ireland society by introducing multifaceted conversations about cultural, racial and ethnic interdependence.

Jo Marley, Director of Bryson Intercultural said, “The makeup of Northern Ireland and the Border Regions of Ireland has changed rapidly in the past decade with increased migration.  According to the 2011 census the Black and Minority Ethnic population in Northern Ireland has almost doubled to 32,400 people.  Evidence suggests more can be done to promote positive relations characterised by respect; where cultural diversity is celebrated and people can live, learn and socialise together, free from prejudice.  Our vision is to facilitate Dialogues about Race and Ethnicity (DARE) to Lead Change towards an intercultural society. 

The DARE project will work with participants from different cultural, community and religious backgrounds across Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland with the aim to build sustainable relationships between the Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist (PUL), Catholic, Nationalist Republican (CRN), Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

This will be achieved through the following activities:

1. Establishing a forum of c50 member organisations interested in PUL, CNR and BME issues through an Intercommunity Interest Forum (IIF) with intercultural, interdenominational, community and statutory membership
2. Promotion of strategic dialogue opportunities through hosting a series of events: large community dialogues; smaller cafe culture events around thematic issues; and policy influencer events with decision makers
3. Building Relationships by identifying and developing PUL, CNR and BME Community Champions to promote dialogue and action in local communities, by providing multiple strands of accredited training: to PUL, CNR and BME Community Champions who will then co-facilitate in delivering the training to all sectors including statutory, public, private etc. Also by providing mediation to resolve conflict within communities
4. Development of a Digital Learning Resource

The project is being managed by Lorraine Boyd and if you are interested in finding out more about the DARE to Lead Change project or taking part in the Training please contact Ross Fletcher, Regional Project Administrator on 028 90325 5835 or rfletcher@brysongroup.org.

You may also contact the TIDES trainers directly via the details below:

Iulia Picu-Iwaisi: iuliapicu-iwaisi@tidestraining.org Tel: 028 9075 1686 Mobile: 07397 554102

Carole Kane: carolekane@tidestraining.org Tel: 028 9075 1686 Mobile: 07397 555905